Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
I crush her to me, the kiss turning desperate, wild. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and she’s tugging me closer, like she’s afraid I’ll let go. My hands move to her waist, gripping tight, and I pull her onto my lap, feeling the heat of her body through layers of fabric.
“Hunter,” she gasps, breaking the kiss for a second, her voice a mix of need and confusion.
I lean my forehead against hers, my breathing ragged. “Tell me to stop,” I say, my voice hoarse. “If you want me to stop, just say the word.”
Her eyes search mine, full of conflict. “I don’t want you to stop,” she finally admits, the words barely a whisper.
It’s all the permission I need. I capture her mouth again, slower this time, but no less intense. My hand slides up her back, feeling the curve of her spine beneath my palm, and I shift us so that she’s straddling me. The heat between us is unbearable, a roaring fire that threatens to consume us both.
But then reality crashes back in. I force myself to pull away, my forehead still pressed against hers. “We can’t,” I say, my voice thick with regret. “Not like this. Not when you’re vulnerable.”
Her breathing is ragged, her cheeks flushed, and there’s a fierce light in her eyes.
“I’m not scared of you, Hunter,” she says, her voice stronger now, filled with a strange kind of trust.
I clench my jaw, the raw honesty in her voice cutting deep. “I’m scared of myself,” I admit, the words bitter on my tongue. “Scared of what I’ll do if I lose control.”
The confession hangs in the air between us, heavy with all the implications. Lark lifts a hand to my face, her touch gentle but firm. “Then don’t lose control,” she says, her voice steady. “But don’t push me away, either.”
I close my eyes, trying to gather the last shreds of my willpower. “You don’t know what you’re asking for, Lark.”
Her chin lifts, defiance mingling with vulnerability. “Maybe I do,” she counters softly.
The fire crackles beside us, a reminder of the warmth and danger all around. I let out a shaky breath, my hand dropping from her face as I put a bit of distance between us. “Get some sleep,” I say roughly, my voice a mix of frustration and longing. “We’ve got a long day ahead.”
She doesn’t move right away, her gaze still locked on mine, searching. But finally, she shifts back onto her own bedroll, pulling the blanket tight around her shoulders. There’s a small, almost hopeful smile on her lips, and it twists something deep in my chest.
I watch her for a long moment, my mind racing. The kiss still lingers on my lips, a promise of something more—something we’re not ready for. Not yet. But the need is there, raw and burning, and I know this is just the beginning.
As the night deepens, the fire dying down to embers, I settle back on my bedroll, my eyes never leaving Lark’s form. She’s already asleep, her breathing slow and steady, but I stay awake, my mind replaying every moment. The desire, the fear, the warmth of her body against mine.
I know I’m in deeper than I ever intended. And as the wind whistles through the trees, I also know there’s no turning back. Not anymore.
Chapter Four
Lark
The forest is alive around us—rustling leaves, distant birdcalls, the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. I try to focus on the sounds, on the rough, uneven ground beneath the extra pair of boots Hunter gave me to wear, but my gaze keeps drifting to Hunter’s back. There’s a raw power in the way he moves, like he’s part of the wilderness itself. He’s in his element here, confident and completely unbothered by the rugged terrain.
Meanwhile, I’m struggling to keep up. Sweat dampens my shirt and I have to bite back curses as branches snag at my hair. But I won’t complain—not in front of him. He’s already got that infuriating smirk every time I trip over a root or stumble on loose rocks.
Hunter stops abruptly, and I nearly slam into him. He turns, catching me off guard, his eyes locking onto mine. There’s an intensity in his gaze that sends a jolt straight to my core. It’s like being caught doing something I shouldn’t, and I feel heat rise to my cheeks, but I lift my chin stubbornly.
“Think you can find the water source I told you about?” he asks, his voice low, teasing.
I narrow my eyes at him, refusing to back down. “What, you don’t think I’m capable?”
A slow, half-smile tugs at his lips, and it’s both infuriating and disarming. “Oh, I think you’re more than capable, Lark. But I also think you’re easily distracted.”
I can’t help it—I laugh, the sound escaping before I can stop it. “Maybe it’s your constant staring that’s the real distraction, Hunter.”